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    As much as you love your pets, you probably don't want your decorating style to be centered around fur-covered fabrics. Photo: Dransfield & Ross

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    Julia Szabo is the author of Pretty Pet-Friendly: Easy Ways to Keep Spot's Digs Stylish & Spotless and Animal House Style

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    When it comes to fabrics to avoid, stay away from anything that's fragile or needs to be dry-cleaned. Photo: Stanley Furniture

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    Suzanne Lasky is owner of S Interior Design and Pawprint Design Services in Scottsdale, Ariz.

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    Matelasse quilts and comforters are excellent choices for hiding (and releasing) pet hair. Photo: Amity Home

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    Leather can be a great option if you have pets, but don't feel like it's your only option. Photo: Pepper Berry Co.


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Leather can be a great option if you have pets, but don't feel like it's your only option. Photo: Pepper Berry Co.

 

Creature Comforts

If the rest of your home is stylish, why not make the pet zones that way too? Look for fashionable, Crypton®-covered dog beds designed by famous pet photographer William Wegman. And for the kitties, look for a Mod Kat litter box that will blend right in with modern décor.

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  • Fido-Friendly Fabrics

    Manage pet hair in your home by using easily cleanable fabrics for your upholstery and bedding.

    by Jennifer Sellers

    Have the fabrics you adored when you were purchasing your furniture lost their appeal? Is it because they're now swathed in fur? We understand. No matter how carefully and regularly you vacuum your furniture, the pet hair always returns. If only that fabric had a "Beware of Dog" (or "Cat") sign next to it when you bought your home furnishings.

    Fortunately, with our help, the next time you're in the market for new upholstery and bedding, you'll be able to find fabrics you love—that don't love pet hair.

     

    Upholstery that Holds Up

    Just because the fabric on your sofa and armchairs has become a pet-hair paradise doesn’t mean you’re relegated solely to leather or microfiber upholstery fabrics (although those can be great choices). Suzanne Lasky, owner of S Interior Design and Pawprint Design Services in Scottsdale, Ariz., also recommends matelasse and Crypton® fabrics.

    Crypton may sound like something better suited for the Jetsons and their dog Astro than for your family and mutts, but it’s a fabric that is highly livable and very fashionable. "It was originally developed for the healthcare industry," says Lasky, a dog owner. "It's cleanable, antimicrobial, water-repellent and doesn't pick up odors."

    And Crypton has come a long way. It doesn't have the institutional look it started with; it comes in a variety of styles, textures and patterns. "It's very chic now," says Julia Szabo, a New York City designer who writes a blog called Life on Crypton. "Most people are going to find a style they like."

     

    Forgiving Fabrics

    Matelasse is a more traditional, woven fabric that has a quilted look. The texture and patterns of matelasse fabric are what help it cloak pet hair, says Lasky. "It's comfortable and easy to remove fur from," she says. It's also a great fabric for bedspreads—especially if the animal sleeps on your bed, adds Szabo.

    Microfiber fabrics are also an excellent option because they’re very easy to wipe clean. Leather, too, is a great pick, but Lasky cautions that it can come with some issues. "Pet claws can scratch leather," she says. "Unless you're going for that distressed look, that could be a problem."

    When it comes to fabrics to avoid, Szabo says to stay away from anything that's fragile or needs to be dry-cleaned. Lasky recommends steering clear from chenille. "It feels great, but animal fur can almost weave itself into it," she says.

     

    Masking Materials

    Of course, when all else fails, machine-washable slipcovers are always an option, advises Szabo, who is author of Pretty Pet-Friendly: Easy Ways to Keep Spot's Digs Stylish & Spotless and Animal House Style. "They can take a beating and then be thrown in the wash," she says. "They're easy to replace, if necessary, and they protect the furniture underneath.”

    Lasky also recommends getting upholstery that's a similar color to your pet's coat. "The hair will still be there, but you won't notice as much," she says.